Gaza: European stock indices closed at new record highs at the end of Wednesday's trading: European stock indices closed at new record highs at the end of Wednesday's trading.
According to Qatar News Agency, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed up 1.2 percent at 628.69 points, with all major European indices rising.
The defense sector climbed 2.9 percent, boosted by a nearly 4 percent jump in BAE Systems shares after the company announced a larger-than-expected jump in full-year operating profit, citing strong global demand that pushed its order backlog to a record EUR 83.6 billion ($113.50 billion).
Glencore shares rose 4.5 percent after the mining company announced a $2 billion dividend for shareholders despite a slight decline in profits.
Shares of building materials company Amrez jumped 12.8 percent to a new record high after it announced a $1 billion share buyback program.